TL;DR: What to pack
Lead, fitted harness & ID (escape-proof, current phone number).Comfort item — bed/blanket or a worn T-shirt from home.Meals pre-portioned + feeding notes (allergies, routine).Treats/chew for first-night settling (e.g., stuffed Kong).Medications in original packaging + written timing.Emergency contacts — your mobile + one backup.
Detailed packing checklist
Everyday gear: lead, harness, ID tag, poo bags.Comfort: bed/blanket + 1–2 safe toys (no squeakers for bedtime).Food: labelled zip-locks or tubs; include “AM/PM” and amount.Treats: small, high-value rewards; 1 long-lasting chew/night.Supplements/meds: original packets; clear written instructions.Notes: feeding, toileting, quirks, signals, do’s/don’ts.
Tip: Pre-pack the first night’s meal on top so we can settle in fast with a predictable routine.
Optional add-ons
Crate (familiar only) if your dog chooses it at home.Rain jacket for winter loops.Brush if your dog finds grooming relaxing.Bath & brush before pickup — request in the app.
The calm-first timeline (7 days out → drop-off)
7 days out: Short practice separations at home; 10–15 minutes with a chew in a different room.5 days out: Keep routines boring — normal walks, normal bedtime. Avoid big new exposures.3 days out: Pack bag; introduce the settle mat during TV time so it smells like home.Day before: Early evening walk + normal meal; no extra treats that could upset tummies.Drop-off day: Unrushed handover; we’ll do a sniff-around + short decompression walk.
New to us? We start with a video trial visit so you can see the space and we can tailor routines.
Arrival & first night routine
Sniff tour, water, and a short decompression loop.
Quiet settle with a lick mat or stuffed Kong.
Normal mealtime window; lights-down earlier than usual for deeper sleep.
No forced introductions; we keep things calm and predictable .
Trainer tip: Bring a worn T-shirt. Familiar scent helps most dogs drop into rest faster that first night.
What if my dog’s fussy?
We follow your notes first. If appetite dips, we can switch to our gentle kibble & cooked chicken fallback (logged in your portal) so dogs don’t go to bed hungry.
Meals & medications
Use labelled portions with AM/PM and any add-ins.
Tell us about food allergies or intolerances.
Med timings: exact clock times or “with meal”.
Emergency vet preference + microchip # in your notes.
Meds we can give
Tablets, liquids, powders and simple topicals — just provide original packaging and written instructions. Reach out before booking if your dog needs injections.
Safety, hygiene & walks
One guest only. No multi-dog boarding dynamics.Daily 45-minute solo walk (weather-sensible) on familiar routes.Cleaned gear between guests; dedicated food/water bowls.Escape-proof harness and double-check ID on arrival.
Weather plan
Hot/windy days get shorter, shadier loops and extra indoor enrichment. See our Rainy-Day Enrichment Games for examples we use.
Updates you’ll receive
Arrival note + photo once settled.Daily photo & short summary of meals, toilets, sleep and walk.Any behaviour notes (what they loved, sensitivities) to make the next stay easier.
Between trips, our walking memberships keep routines steady — the easiest way to have repeat stays feel pleasantly boring.
Pickup & aftercare
We’ll hand over a quick summary (meals, walks, sleep, notes).
Plan a low-key evening: water, short sniff, light meal, early bed.
Skip the dog park the next day — decompression first.
Common post-stay behaviours
Extra sleepy: normal after new smells and stimulation.Slightly clingy: a settle mat at home helps reset.Soft stools: usually pass in 24–48 hrs; keep diet simple.
Postcode coverage — quick check
We’re based in South Melbourne and regularly host dogs from Albert Park, Middle Park, Port Melbourne and Southbank. Check your postcode:
Keep calm between trips — memberships
Weekly rhythm beats last-minute cramming. Our memberships keep dogs in a low-arousal groove so boarding feels like an easy extension of home.
Weekend Woof Club — one guest only
Our boutique boarding hosts one guest only for calmer, safer stays. Daily solo walk, cosy home setup, photo updates — and a first-timer video visit so you can see it all.
The Woof of Walk Street